Can-capping machine.



No. 629,574. Patented July 25, 1899.

J. M. K. LETSUN &. F. W. BURPEE.

CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 30, 1898.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Shuat l.

WITNESSES /)v VENTOHS No. 629,574. v I Patented July 25; I899.

m. K. LETSON & F. w. BURPEE.

CAN GAPPING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

If" [H] W/TNESSES A TTOHNE Y.

m: cams mans o0. PnoTourHo" WASHINGTON. u. c.

No. 629,574. Patented July 25, I899. J. M. K. LETSON & F. W. BURP EE.

CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(No Modal.)

W/ TN E SSE S TH: nanms virzns o0. Pnomumu. WASNINGTON. 04 c.

No. 629,574. Patented July 25, I899.

J. M. K. LETSON 8. F. W. BURPEE.

CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed June'30, 1898.) (N Modem '7 Sheets-Shael 4.

WITNESSES: //v VEN rofis No. 629,574. Patented July 25, I899. J. m. K. LETSON & F. w. BURPEE.

CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 80, 1898.)

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

WITNESSES I //v VEN Toes A TTOHN E Y mi Noam; P5112, co, rnorauma. WASHINGTON, D. c.

No. 629,574. Patented July 25, I899. J. M. K.. LETSON & F. W. BUBPEE.

CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed June so, V1898.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(No Modal.)

//v vs v r005 Jwms'fluifleisoiz I'VJIZZ 71132627266 W/TNESSES ziafim THE uonms PETERS ca, PNOTO-LITHQ, wummsrou. n. c.

No. 629,574. Patented July 25, I899.

J. M. K. LETSON & F. w. BURPEE.

CAN GAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 80, 1898.) W 7Shests$hee t 7.

r i gg l I F "I I l WITNESSES: I .mvflvroas 1 JJUCLaZson 1 L lgflflBuzynea UNITED ST TES PATENT retort.

JAMES MOORE K. LETSON AND FRANK WATTS BURPEE, on VANCOUVER,

' CANADA.

CAN-GAP'PIING MAi-IINEJ forming part of Letters Patent N0. 629,574, dated July 51899;

Application filed June 30, 1 8 9 3.

T?) all whom it may concern.

Be it knownthat we, JAMES MOORE K. LET- so and FRANK WATTS BURPEE, citizens of the Dominion of Canada, residing in the city 5 of Vancouver, in the Province of British Oolumbia, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gan-Capping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

to This invention relates to improvements in machines for applying the caps or covers to cans; and among other objects it has for its purpose to provide a machine of this character which will apply the caps to a vast num- I 5 her of cans in a short space of time, and by slight adjustment to some ofthe parts of such machine cans of various dimensions may be capped.

The invention consists in certain combinations and details of construction and arrangement of parts, such as will be hereinafter first described in detail and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a vertical section of our improved machine, parts being in elevation, the View being taken practically on the line 2 2 on Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine, viewed in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan view of the feed mechanism for the 5 cans and for the caps. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the means for applying the cap to the can. Fig. 6 is a detail side view, parts being sectioned practically on the line a a of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the table carrying the mechanism for connecting the cap and the can from above and below, respectively. Fig. Sis a vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. '7, taken on the line t 4 of such figure. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail 5 plan view illustrating the mechanism forming the opening through which the caps are introduced to the can. Fig. 10 is adetail section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11

is a detail end elevation of a portion of the cam-spacing mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a detail Serial No. 684,866. (No model.)

plan view of the same, and Fig. 13 isa detail edge view of a portion thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying draw ings, in which like numerals and letters indi= cate like parts in all the figures, 10 indicates a horizontal frame or bed supported on legs 11.

Suitably arranged integrally with the frame 10 is an. upwardly-extending pillow 12, and continuing for a suitable distance upward is a spindle 13. 6o

14 indicates a rotatable carrier mounted on the spindle 13'and resting on the pillow 12, and such carrier has its under beveled periphery provided with teeth which mesh with the beveled gear 15 on the horizontally-disposed shaft 16, suitably journaled under pil-' low-blocks 17, fixedly held on the frame 10. The carrier 14 has radial arms 14*, the projecting ends of which have apertures, in which seat spindles 18, having can-supporting disks 7o 19, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. Resting upon and securely fixed to the carrier let is a table 20, having openings 21 in vertical alinement with the can-supports 19.

24 indicates a carrier secured upon the table 20, provided with radial arms 2t, in which are held spindles 25, having pendent disks 26, adapted to press downward upon the can-caps, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Rigidly secured to the top of the spindle 13 is a frame 27, having a radial cam-rim 28.

29 indicates collars adj List-ably secured to the top of the spindle 25, said collars having spindles projecting inwardly, upon which are mounted antifriction-rollers 30, adapted to engage the cam 28, whereby the spindle 25 will be raised and lowered, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Secured on the under sides of the radial o arms of the carrier 24, with its outer periphery extended toward the centers of the spindles 25, is a ring 31, having a toothed peripheral edge and recesses at the point of contact with the spindle 25 to form seats therefor, the 5 object of which will be seen later.

Suitably secured above the frame 10 by supporting-brackets 32 is a stationary table 33, having an upwardly-projecting ing 33, to which is secured a bracket 34, through the (See Fig. 1.) 75

iug on the upper side of the bracket 34 is se-' cured a wheel 37, the plane of its lower side being arranged a slight distance above the upper plane of the table 20. The purpose of the wheel 37 is tofeed the caps to the cans,

and the openings or seats for the same are placed directly above the seats for the cans in the wheel 36; but, as clearly shown in Fig. .1, the seats for such capsdo not extend to the upper surface of the wheel, the object of this being to prevent the caps from rising up or being jarred from their proper position while being conveyed to the openings 21 in the table 20.

38 indicates a bracket or table secured to the top of the table 33, said table 38 having a cap-chute 38, which is placed on an even plane with the top of the table 20, and the cap-recesses 37 in the wheel 37 are arranged to engage and slide the said caps to the openings 21.

Secured on upwardly-projecting lugs 37 on the can-feed wheel 37 and on a plane level with and made to engage a toothed ring 31' is alike toothed ring 39, which receives movement from the ring 31, which is secured within and made to turn with the table 20, and as the rings 39 31 are of the same diameter the can and cap feeding wheels 36 37 will travel at the same speed as the said table 20, and the recesses in such wheels contact in vertical alinement with the cap-openings 21 and the supports 19, it being thus seen that by this arrangement of parts when the machine is in operation cans and caps will be fed to the supports 19 and to the openings 21 simultaneously.

To enable the peripheral edge of the ring to receive half of the diameter of the spindles S5, recesses 39 are provided therein, and by means of like recesses in the ring 31 the said spindles will be allowed to rise and fall between the contacting edges of the rings 39 31 without undue friction.

In operation to prevent the cans as they are transferred from the recesses 36 in the wheel 36 to the support 19 being pushed beyond alinement with the openings 21 we provvide guides 40 in the nature of radial arms secured to the support or stem 2O of the table 20 and having can-holding recesses therein. To prevent in like manner the caps being pushed beyond .or from alinement with the openings 21, brackets 41 are secured to the table at the rear or inner sides of such openings. By this arrangement it will be noticed that a can is placed beneath each opening of the table and a cap is placed over such opening as the respective recesses in the wheels 36 '37 meet their respective recesses of the guards 40 and brackets 41 beneath and above the table 20.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, when a cap is introduced to its position over the opening 21 in the table the spindle carrying the disk 26 will be elevated, as shown by dotted lines, thus allowing the cap A to be pushed beneath the disk. To conveniently hold the said cap and prevent vibration at this point of the operation, the said disk26 is fixed to a slidable stem 42, which is arranged within the spindle 25, said stem 42 being controlled in a sufficient vertical movement by a screw 43, passing through aslot 25 in the spindle. A spiral spring 44 in the opening pressing downwardly upon the stem will normally keep it down; but when the cap A is inserted the disk 26, together with the spindle 25, is elevated (see dotted lines) just above the plane of such cap, and, as shown in Fig. 5, the spindle 25, carrying the disk 26, at this point will immediately begin to descend by reason of the antifriction-rollers 30, laterally projecting from the collars 29, passing downward through the opening 28 in the cam 28 to the under side thereof, when the disk 26 will assume the position shown in Fig. 6, engaging the cap- A, and while the said spindle 25 is descending the disk 26-will be upon the top of the cap and bearing down in proportion to the tension of the spring 44 until the said spring is driven back, when a rigid force will be exerted by the lower end of the spindle 25 contacting with the disk 26. The stem 42 and the spring 44 act as a holder for the cap and prevent it from being displaced before the positive downward force is exercised by the spindle 25 and the said cap is in a proper position to receive can B, which is being simultaneously pushed upward by the support 19, actuated by the spindle 18, being pushed upward through the carrier 14 by the cam or chase 46 on the member 47. The member 47 is of an arc form and is provided at the ends with cam or sloping portions 46, and at the center it has a level plane, and as such member 46 47 is arranged in the track of the spindles 18 such spindles are pushed upward and lowered at proper intervals. It will be noticed that at the point where the spindles 18 are pushed up the spindles 25 will be depressed by reason of the cam 28, as before mentioned, so that a can and a cap are simultaneously driven together, and such contact will take place within the opening 21 in the table 20.

To prevent the caps from dropping down through the opening 21 before such opening is properly contracted to seat the cap, as will be understood presently, we provide slidable plates 48. (Best shown in Figs. 6 and 9.) These plates 48 are arranged to Work in recesses' 22 in the table 20, and the forward sides of such plates have a dovetailed form,

IIO

the opposite sides of such plates having proj ections 48, whose extreme rearward portions lie and are allowed to slide beneath the brackets 41, such arrangement preventing the plates 48 from rising upward or allowing them to have a reciprocating action to and from each other.

Pivotally connected to upwardly-extending cars 41 of the opposite ends of the bracket 41 are triggers 49, the depending ends of which have rounded portions 49, which lie in recesses in the rearwardly-projecting portions 48 of the plates 48, and by reason of the rearwardly-dispos'ed arms 49 being engaged between the fixedly-disposed forks of the projection 25 on the inner side ofv the spindle 25 when such spindle 25 is raised and depressed the plates 48 will be reciprocated over the opposite edges of the capopening 21.

It is obvious that whenthe plates 48 cover the opening 21 the disk 26is elevated and the can-support19 in a position to receive a can B, and at the same time a cap A will be disposed upon the plates 48 48, and as such plates are withdrawn, owing to the bevel-chase 48 on the inner ends thereof, the cap will be gradually lowered while the can is being raised to meet it.

To prevent the spindles 25, carrying th disks 26, from turning, pins 50, vertically secured to the radial arms of the carrier 24, are

provided, which pins loosely pass through the shanks of the collars 29. To permit a free vertical movement of the spindles 25 and keep the rollers 30, as also the projections 25", in a proper operative position or alinement, the said rollers 30 are made to engage the trackcam 28, while the projections 25 engage the inner ends of the arms 49 of the bell-crank levers 49, as best shown in Fig. 6.

As better shown in Figs. 6, 9, and 10, recesses are arranged in-circular form around the openings 21 in the table 20, and having an even axis to the axis of such openings are removable members or jaws 51. These jaws are disposed at an angle to each other and have their edges, which form the inner sides of the openings 21, made beveled or bell-mouthed from above and below, the upper sides forming upwardly-projecting rims or lips 51 and at a suitable distance below the upper plane of the lips 51, within the contracted annular opening, is' a ledge or rim 51, designed to receive the edges of the cap A, such ledge being of sufficient depth to allow the upwardlyforced can B to enter the cap A without the possibilityof the edges of the cap and can engaging edge on, and thus make liawed work.

It is evident that inorder to properly receive the cans and caps between the jaws such jaws must expand and contract the opening 21. This is done by a movement of the jaws directly at right angles with the axis of said opening, which movement is controlled by rigidly-fixed pins 20 in the table 20 extending into slots 51, arranged at right angles to the axis of the opening 21 and on the upper sides of jaws 51. To cause the jaws 51 to advance and recede to and from the axis of the openings 21 is arranged a ring 52 beneath the jaws, and this is supported and allowed to turn upon supports 53, secured to the under side of the table intermediately between the openings 21 and having their sides projecting beneath and supporting the rings 52, as clearly shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 10.

At proper intervals on the upper side of:

each ring 52 are curved grooves 52 which receive depending tongues 51 said tongues and grooves having their axes differentially placed to the axis of each opening 21, so that when the ring 52 is revolved slightly, as will be shown presently, the jaws 51 will advance and recede, and thus contract and expand each opening 21.

Connected to a rigidly-fixed pin 52 on the under side of the ring 52 is an arm 54. (See dotted lines, Figs. 4 and 7.) This arm 54 is slidably arranged in a slot on the upper side of each supporting -plate 53 and arranged radially from the axis of the table 20, with its upper plane even with the lower plane of the rings 52 to allow for the sweep of the arc of the circle described by the pin 52. As the arm is pushed in and out a slot in the defiected part of the arm is provided, so that the ring may roll back and forth without causing undue resistance. On the extreme end of the arm is arranged a small antifriction-roller 55. In practice a number of these arms 54 are provided, as shown, and as the table 20 is revolved the rollers 55 are brought in contact with the cam 56,'rigid1y held on: supporting-stems 57, which will push the arms back at the point 56 (see Fig. 4) and will draw them forward at the point 56 by reason of such cam passing over to the inner side of the rollers, as at 56". It will be observed that when the point 56 of the cam is reached by the roller 55 011 the arm 54 the opening controlled by such arm will be over, the member 47, and the spindle 18, carrying the can-support 19, will at this point descend, and the pushing in of the jaw 54 opens the jaws 51 and allows the can, which has received its cap, to descend to the normal plane, when the can will be received between the forks of the delivery-bracket 58, which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

As before mentioned, at the part of the cam 56 the arm is pushed inwardly. This is caused by the cam-track being on a tangent to the table 20 and 56 being the closest point to such table; but as the roller 55 travels for ward it is engaged on the opposite side by the wedge 56", which draws the arm outward,and

thus closes the jaws ready to receive the next cap and guide the can into the same. When the can and the cap take their respective places on the support 19 and over the opening 21, said support 19 will be at its normal or lowest plane (see Fig. 1) and the spindles 25 will be elevated and allow the cap to take its.

place-and consequently the said cap will lie zoo IIO

upon the slidable plate 48; but as the table, with the carriers, passes around the rollers will engage the lower side of the cam 28 by passing through the opening 28. This will throw the arms of the triggers 49 downward and withdraw the plates 28, and the cap A will then drop to its position on the annular rim 51", the disk 26 holding the lid secure. At this time the can-support 19 will drive the can into the cap, as shown in Fig. 6, and as the can is carried around the cam 56 will engage the arm 54: and open the jaws 51, thusreleasing the can, and simultaneouslythe spindles 18 will pass down the chase l6 to'the member 47, thereby delivering the can back to its normal plane with a cap applied thereto, this operation being repeated by the mechanism connected with each opening for each revolution of the table 20.

Arranged to pass over andlie in a recess in the table 33 is a can-feed belt 59, passing around a pulley 60 on the shaft 61, having journals 62. In practice the cans are conveyed to the machine on this belt in the direction indicated bythe arrow, and one can is received; into each of the recesses 36 in the wheel 36, and as such wheel revolves said can isconveyed around to where one of the cansupport's 19 on the carrier 1-1 is engaged,when said support will receive and convey the can away.

To control the can in its proper track as it is'beingpushed around, an arc-shaped guide 63is adj ustably fixed at the proper distance from the wheel 36 by brackets 64 and 65, which pass through slots 33 and 33 in the table 33.

The can, in traveling around within the guide 63, will pass over the belt 59, and to provide that it should not again contact with the belt the track or guideway is gradually raised and the belt is covered by a thin plate 66, which is inserted flush with the plane of such slideway, so the can will pass smoothly thereover.

The caps A are conveyed to the opposite side of the machine on a plane with the top of the table 20 by a belt 69, (see arrow, Fig. 5,) which belt passes over a pulley 70, secured onthe shaft 71, journaled in a hanger 72, integral with the table 33.

As the recesses 37 in the wheel 37 receive acap such cap will be conveyed to one of the openings 21 in the table 20 and a can will have taken its place beneath, when the operation of applying the cap will be performed and the can will be delivered through the track 58 onto the belt 73,which passes over a pulley 74, fixedly held on the shaft 61.

The delivery-track 58 consists of a pillow-58, which supports and secures the track onthe plane with the can-supports 19, it also having extending arms projecting inwardly, so that the advancing can will be received therebetween, the arm 58 being adjustably secured to theother member by bolts passing through slotted lugs 58 and into the horizontal part the projecting lug 91 on the cap-table 38.

of the other portion. This adjustment is for the purpose of receiving cans of various di- HlGIlSlODS. To prevent more than one can at atime from crowding against the feed-wheel 36, (see Fig. 5.) a spacing device is adjustably arranged on one side of the feed-belt 59. This consists of an L-shaped bracket 75, secured by a setscrew 76 passing through a slot 77 in a pro jecting lug 33 of the table 33, and pivotally fixed to the under side of the L-shaped brackets are members 78,.connected together by pins working in slots in the loose end thereof, so that when one member is moved motion will be imparted to the others:

Pivotall y held on seats surrounding the axis of the toggle members 78are fingers 79', the extremities of which are normally pressed forward by the springs 80. The object in thus holding the fingers 79 by spring-pressure is to prevent the said fingers 79 from damaginga can when oscillated should the can lie directly in the path of one of them, which damage would occur were the saidfingers rigidly held on the body members 78. An oscillating movement is imparted to the spacing mechanism by means of a member 82, pivoted on the pin 83, said lever having rollers 81, which are held to alternately engage with the cam-wheel 85, which causes the parts 7 8 to turn back and forth, and as the fingers 79 are pivotally connected to the members 78 and, normally pressed foward by springs 80' they will be drawn forward alternately, the center one being projected, while the end'ones are withdrawn, and vice versa. One of the members 78 connects with the upper end of the lever 81 by the member 82.

It will be observed that there are four cams on the Wheel 85, the same as the number of recesses for the feed-wheel 36 and openings 21 in the table 20, and therefore for each revolution of the cam-wheel 85 four cans will be fed to the machine; and now comes one of the most important features of our machine. As a can is pushed around within the are 63 it will contact with the fixedly-disposed arms of the bracket 86, pivoted on a stem 87, (see Fig. 5,) and by reason of such arms projecting in the path of the cans each can that passes will cause a rigidly-fixed arm 88 on the top of the said bracket to rock forward and back. A coupling connection89 causes movement to be imparted to the spacing mechanism 90, which is adjustably fixed to will thus be seen that each can releases its own capas, for instance, when a can 13 en gages the bracket 86 a cap A will be released and as the next recess in the wheel 36 contains said can the released cap will take the IIO seat in the cap-feed wheel 37 directly over such can, and consequently the can and cap will be transferred to their respective posi-' tions beneath and on the table 20. The spacing mechanism 90 is a duplicate of the device 75, which reverses to engage the caps coming the opposite way. (See arrow.)

The coupling or connecting device 89 has longitudinal adjustment which is effected by the section 89, having a threaded shank taking into the section 89, and the jam-nut S9 secures the. section at the length desired.

It is observed that by changing the parts which actively engage the cans and caps and substituting parts of a suitable size to engage the cans to be capped or topped our machine may be adjusted to operate on cans of various dimensions, it also being evident that our machine may be employed to advantage in can-making for applying the bottoms sections by the bevel-gears 14 and 15, and

movement is transferred to the shaft through the toothed wheels 31 and 39.

A chain belt 98 connects a rigidly-fixed sprocket 99 on the shaft 16 with asprocket 100, rigidly connected with the belt-wheel 70, which carries the belt 69 and feeds the caps to the machine.

. the belt '7 3, which conveys it away.-

We have in most respects specifically described the construction and relative arrange ment of the several parts of our improved machine; but we do not desire to be understood to confine ourselves to such specific con-.

struction and arrangement, as such changes or modifications may be made in practice as fairly fall within the scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

1. A can-capping machine, comprising a rotating frame having reciprocally-movable can-seats; a rotatable table having openings for the cans; means for feeding the caps in position; vertically-rccipr0cal cap-pressers, and means for simultaneously elevating the can-seats and depressing the cap-pressers as specified.

2. A can-capping machine, comprising a rotating frame having can-seats; a rotatable table having openings for the cans; means for keeping the cap in position, and vertically-reciprocal cap-pressers mounted on the frame, rotatable with the can-carrying frame,

and means for reciprocally moving the cappressers in engagement with the caps and holding them during the operation of delivering the same to a take-off belt, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a machine for, applying the caps to cans, a rotatable table'having openings for the cans and means for applying caps thereto; of a frame 24, having radial arms with spindles arranged therein,

depending disks on the ends of such spindles; a rigidly-fixed frame 27, secured to the top of the spindle 13, on which the table and the track 28, for rollers, around the upper and lower sides of its rim, rollers 30, arranged to turn on the shanks. of collars which are secured to the top of the spindles 25, and such rollers to take around the track 28, such track taking on the under side ofthe rim of the frame 27, for a distance vertically above the fixed cam 46, on the bed, whereby the disks '80 frames 14 and 24 rotate, said frame having a 1 ICO 5. In combination with a rotatable table,

having openings therein, with reciprocating disks vertically above and below such openings, of jaw members around said openings, rings connected with tongue-and -grooved mechanism with such jaws, said tongues and grooves arranged on arcs with a differential axis to the openings; of support members 53, secured beneath the table and supporting the said rings, arms 54, passing through slots in the upper sides of the members 53, and engaging fixed pins 52 depending from the said rings, antifriction devices on the projecting ends of said arms, and a cam 56 arranged on one side of the table, which will engage and push the said arms inward and draw them forward whereby the rings 52 will be turned for a distance back and forth, and thereby the openings will be expanded and contracted, as set forth.

6. In combination with a rotatable table, having openings therein, with reciprocating can and cap disks beneath and above such openings; of jawmcmbcrs arranged at an angle around the said openings; said jaws being bell-mouthed from below, and slightly flared from above,the contracted annular center having rims for the seats of the can-caps, and upwardly-projecting lips around such seats; of rigidly-fixed pins depending from the table 20, to within slots 51, in said jaw members, said slots being arranged at an angle to each other, and with their slideways at right an glcs to the axis of the openings in the table, as specified.

7. In combination with a rotatable table having openings therein, with reciprocating can and cap disks, below and above such openings; of members for contracting and expanding the openings as specified; brackets 41, secured to the table at the rear sides of the and depressingthe same; oppositely-disposed projections secured on the rear sides of the said spindles 25, brackets 41 secured to the rear sides of the said openings, the inner sides of these brackets being of arc form on the same contour to the openings; slidable plates 48 arranged on opposite sides of the said openings, triggers 49, pivotally connected to upwardly and oppositely disposed ears on the brackets 41, and connecting with the projections on the spindles 25 and the slidable plates 48, whereby, when the spindles rise and fall the said plates will be reciprocated over the opposite sides of the openings.

9. In a machine of the class described, having a rotatable table with openings therein, spindles arranged in a carrier 24 secured tp said table, said spindles having disks on their depending ends; collars 29 rigidly fixed to the upper ends of the said spindles, shanks on said collars which project inwardly, rollers on the ends of the shanks engaging with a track on the fixed frame 27, vertical apertures through the said shanks of the collars and guides 50, rigidly fixed in the arms of the frame 24, and passing upwardly through the apertures in said shanks, of the collars, whereby the spindles 25, will be prevented from turning, as set forth.

10. In combination with a rotatable table having openings therein, with reciprocating can and cap disks below and above such openings, slidable stems 42 arranged within the spindles 25 above the table, cap-holding disks 26 on the depending ends of the stems 42, coil-springs 44, for normally pressing these holders downward; slots 25, in the sides of the spindles, and screws 43 inserted through such slots and secured in the spindles 42, whereby their movement will be controlled.

11. In combination with a rotatable table having openings for cans, can supporting disks arranged beneath in a frame integral with the table, afixed table or can-guideway 33, supported and secured by brackets 32, on a level plane with the can-supports below the table; of an inward] y-proj ecti n g horizontallydisposed bracket 34, secured to one endof said table, a shaft 35 vertically jonrnaled in such bracket, a wheel 36 having can-recesses 36, therein, said recesses being placed in alinement with the openings in the table; of a cap-feeding wheel 37, secured on the upper end of the shaft 35, and having recesses there .in directly above the recesses in the wheel 36,

and a toothed wheel 39, secured to upwardlyprojecting brackets on the cap-feedin g wheel, which toothed wheel meshes with a like wheel 31, secured to the frame 24, above the rotatable table, as set forth.

12. In combination with a rotatable table having openings therein,can-supporting disks belowsuchopenings,cap-engagingdisks above such openings; of a can-feeding Wheel having its recesses engage in alinement below the recesses or openings in the table, can-guards 40, arranged to prevent the cans from being pushed beyond such alinement; a table or bracket 38, secured upon the table 33, having a slideway for caps, a cap-feeding wheel 37,

having recesses vertically arranged above the recesses or seats in the wheel 36, and means for communicating movements to these wheels simultaneously with the movement of the table 20, whereby a can will be placed on the support below the opening therein, and a cap will be placed over such forth.

13. In combination with a rotatabletable having openings therein,and can-supportsbelow such openings, on a plane with a fixed table 33, a groove in such table for the passage of a belt 59, and an arc-guide 63, fixed at even radii with the diameter of a can-feeding wheel 36, and means for changing the radius of such guide, as set forth.

14. In a machine of the class described, in

opening, as set.

combination with a rotatable table having IIO able bracket 75 having reciprocating fingers 79, arranged in mechanism therein, such mechanism connecting with a cam wheel, by an oscillatory lever, whereby the fingers will be thrust back and forth over the said belt 59, as and for the purposes set forth.

15. A fixed table 33 having a belt passing over a groove or recess in the same, means for imparting movement to such belt, a canspacing mechanism on one side thereof and means for pushing cans, at intervals around a common center from the belt on one side to pass over to the other side without contacting with such belt, by a plate intervening.

16. In a device for feeding caps to cans, in a machine as described, the combination of a table 33, and a recess therein fora belt travcling thereover, a can-feeding wheel having seats for cans which push the cans forward over the table, a guide 63, arranged to controlthe cans, a bracket 86, pivotally fixed without the track of the cans, oppositely disposcd arms on said bracket projecting into the path of the cans; of a cap-feeding belt 69, arranged over a bracket or slideway 38., an adjustable bracket 91, secured to a lug 011 such bracket 38, and a finger-cap-releasingmechanism arranged on the bracket 91, the same being connected to the arm 88, as shown and described, whereby each can engaging the arms of the bracket 86, will release its own cap.

17. In combination with a rotatable table, having openings therein for the passage of caps, can-supports arranged below said openings, and seats for the caps in such openings, a fixed table 33 and means for passing cans thereover on a plane with the can-supports beneath the rotatable table, a bracket 38 arranged above the table 33, a groove for a capfeed belt 69, which takes thereoverand around a pulley 70 on a shaft 7l,and means forimparting movement to such pulley by a sprocketbelt 98, taking over a Wheel 99, secured on the shaft 16, said belt 69 arranged on a plane with the table 20, and means for simultaneously depositing a can and a cap respectively below and above one of the said openings, as set forth.

18. In a can-capping machine, the combination of a rotating frame having reciprocally-movable can-seats, a rotatable table having contractible openings for the cans and provided with cap-seats, means for simultahaving openings therein, each opening being formed by members arranged at an angle to each other and having tongues on the under sides resting in grooves in a movable ring, which are placed at a differential axis to the opening, and the whole being supported by brackets or plates 53; an arm passing through such plate diametrically in line with the table, a rigid pin secured to said ring and engaging in a slot in the deflected end of such arm and means for forcing the arm in and out, whereby the j aw member will contract and expand the opening as set forth.-

20. In a can-capping machine, the combination of a rotary table having openings, reciprocating disks above the openings, reciprocating plates at opposite sides of the openings for supporting the caps, and connections between the. disks and the plates, whereby the plates will be withdrawn when the disks are moved downward, substantially as described.

21. In a can-capping machine, the combination of a rotary table, having openings, vertically-reciprocating disks located above the openings and adapted to engage the caps, reciprocating plates located at opposite sides of the openings for supporting the caps, and levers connecting the disks and the plates, whereby the latter will be withdrawn when the former move downward, substantially as described.

JAMES MOORE K. LETSON. FRANK WATTS BURPEE.

Witnesses:

W. G. TRETHEWEY, ROWLAND BRITTAIN. 

